Eddie Boucher is the Associate Director of the Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science with primarily responsibilities in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Global & International Studies majors. He holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with concentration areas in Interdisciplinary Studies, Global & Cultural Educational Studies, South Asia, and Curriculum & Instruction. His ongoing ethnographic research explores the impact of coercive forms of globalization on India’s handicraft sectors, education system, and culture more broadly. At MSU he offers courses in Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Global Studies. He also developed and leads a unique study abroad program where MSU students work alongside craft & design students in India to conduct qualitative interdisciplinary research in the form of short documentary films.
CURRENT RESEARCH/TEACHING AREAS
- Craft & Design Studies and Material Culture Studies in India
- Cultural Studies in Global and Comparative Education in South Asia
- Interdisciplinary Research Methods in Social Science
- Pedagogy in Visual Storytelling and Documentary Filmmaking
ASSOCIATED/AFFILIATE PROGRAMS
- Center for Asian Studies
- Study Away, College of Social Science
- Education Abroad
RECENT PUBLICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS IN-PRESS/UNDER REVIEW
Boucher, E. (2023). Competition Exams and Topper Praise in India: A Media Case Study Exploring Educational (In)equality. In T. Saeed, R. Iyengar, M. Witenstein, and E. Bykar (Eds.), The Politics of Education: Exploring Education and Democratization in South Asia. Palgrave Macmillan.
Boucher, E. (2020). Democracy, Neoliberalism, and School Choice: A Comparative Analysis of India and the United States. Journal of Global Education and Research, 4(2), 96-112.
Boucher, E. (2020). The Systemic Gentrification of Education in India: A Media Case Study. In J. DeSena and J. Krase (Eds.), Gentrification Around the World, Volume 2: Innovative Approaches, pp. 289-313. London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Boucher, D. E., & Clark, C. (2018). After Postmodernism: Working Woke in the Neoliberal Era. Journal of Educational Philosophy and Theory, 50(14), 1446-1447.
Boucher, E. (2017). Colonial Liberalism, Global Neoliberalism, and Education in India. The Global Studies Journal, 10(2), 51-66.
RECENT CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Boucher, E. (2023, November). Crafting Educational Counter Spaces: Toward a People- and Problem-Centered Pedagogy in Craft and Design Education in India. Keynote Presentation/Talk, 4th International Conference on Recent Trends and Sustainability in Crafts & Design, IICD, Jaipur, India.
Boucher, E., Munoz, L. (2023, October). The Art of Integration in Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Data Analysis: Lessons Learned at Farmers Markets. Paper presentation, 45th Annual Conference of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, Lubbock, TX.
Boucher, E., Darabie, A., & Quillinan, T. (2023, October). Documentary Research as Engaged Teaching and Learning: A Pedagogical Model for Large-Format General Education Courses in Integrative Studies in Social Science. Paper presentation, 45th Annual Conference of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, Lubbock, TX.
Boucher, E., Quillinan, T., Keeley, K., Johnson, N., Mize, R., & Pickford, D. (2021, May). ISS Innovation: Documentary Storytelling as Engaged Learning in General Education. Poster & Short Documentary presented at the Michigan State University Annual Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Conference, East Lansing, MI.
Boucher, E. (2021, April). Equity Demerits in Meritocracy Education: The Global Pandemic, Media Reporting, and Stakeholder Resistance to India’s High-Stakes Board Exam System. Poster presented at the 65th Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), Seattle, WA
Boucher, E. (2020, March). Craft Education in India: Potential Educational Counter Spaces Beyond Utilitarian, Neoliberal Models. Poster presented at the 64th Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), Miami, FL.
Boucher, E. (2019, April). Craft Education in India: Cultural Sustainability within a Global World. Poster presented at the 63rd Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES), San Francisco, CA.
Boucher, E., & Russell, L. (2018, July). The Globalization of a Sacred Narrative: Situating India’s Ramayana Traditions within Colonial, Postcolonial, and Neoliberal Global Contexts. Paper presented at the Eleventh International Conference of the Global Studies Research Network (GSRN). University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
COMMUNITY-ENGAGED/PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP (In Progress)
Boucher, E., Mattes, S., Almerigi, J., Munoz, L. & Quillinan, T. (IDS Faculty-Student Research and Production Team). (In progress, Fall 2022 anticipated release date). Farmers Markets in Mid-Michigan: Sustaining Communities, Resources, and the Environment in our Global Era (A Community-Engaged Documentary). United States.
Boucher, E. (Producer and Director). (2019, in progress). Handmade Craft in the World: Master Tarkashi Artisans of Jaipur (Documentary). India and the United States.
Boucher, E. (Producer) & Boucher, E., & Sen, K. (Co-Directors). (2018, full feature in progress). Handmade Craft in the World: Block Printing in Jaipur (Documentary). India and the United States.
RECENT TEACHING AWARDS
Adams Academy Fellowship in Teaching & Learning, Michigan State University, 2023-2024
Michigan State University, Recipient, Faculty Teaching Innovation Award, College of Social Science, 2020-2021
Michigan State University, Recipient, #iteachmsu Educator Award, Office of the Provost, 2020-2021
Michigan State University’s Academic Advancement Network (MSU-AAN) & The HUB, Co-founder & Co-facilitator, MSU Learning Community in Team-Based Teaching, Learning & Research, 2020-2021, (renewed) 2021-2022